Rubber-elasticity and electrochemical activity of iron(ii) tris(bipyridine) crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks.

2,2'-Bipyridine-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane)s (bpyPDMS) with number average molecular weights, M, of 3300, 6100, 26 200, and 50 000 g mol were synthesized. When mixed with Fe(BF) at low concentrations, red solutions formed with UV-vis spectra that match those of iron(ii) tris(2,2'-bipyridine) (Fe(bpy)). Upon solvent evaporation, Fe(bpy) crosslinked PDMS networks (bpyPDMS/Fe(ii)) formed, and were studied using oscillating shear rheometry.